Proverbs
Smash Lord
I was planning on making this sometime during my winter break, and since this is going to be my 777th post, I figured now would be the appropriate time.
So basically, I've noticed that many threads in the Debate Hall have either touched upon Christian ethics or have taken head-on the concept of inconsistencies in the Bible, and other Christianity-related topics. Now, as I've been in these threads I've also realized that few people seem to know much about the Bible or exactly what Christianity is, as the Bible teaches it, and not how some churches may teach it. That's what I'm here for.
Basically I created this thread to help resolve as many questions regarding Christianity as I can, from the perspective of a Christian who has done a good amount of reading of the Bible as well as extra-biblical sources concerning the Bible. And after all that I have researched I have come to the resolute and absolute conclusion that Jesus Christ is Lord. Since I made my decision to make Jesus Lord of my life nearly three years ago, I've never looked back.
Now this thread will have room for people to debate things with me or to merely ask questions--I'll take either. But since Christianity is such a hot topic, I'll need to set a few ground rules to prevent things from going crazy.
1. One person asks a question at a time.
I cannot stress enough this rule's importance. Sure I know it seems like a cramped way of running the thread, but this is the best way to do it. If I just let this thread go wild and let everyone post at once, there will be more than I can handle to answer in one sitting. I'll deal with each question individually. If someone has a problem with what I said, they have 6 hours to respond to me in this thread. If they don't have time to do make a full post, they can make a reserve post to place their spot which will extend their spot for an extra 6 hours (a total of 12 hours since my response to them). If they miss the opportunity, they can feel free to PM me any question which I'll do my best to answer. After that I may post the conversation on here if it's on topic or if I can find a good time to include it. Being that this thread will run a bit more slowly, this brings me to my next rule.
2. Don't ask a useless question.
Teachers may say "There's no such thing as a stupid question." While this may be true, there are useless questions. I'm sick of hearing overused arguments that get us nowhere like "Would a loving God make a world where people experience pain and die?" Questions like these show a misunderstanding of the Bible as a whole. Go read through the Bible and THEN come up with your definition of God's personality. I do believe that God is love, but I also believe that we have a very limited scope of what love is. So asking useless questions like these is out. If you want to ask one of them to me in a PM--knock yourself out. But I want this thread to get us somewhere. Likewise, if your question could be answered through a little bit of research, don't post it here. BibleGateway.com is a great tool to search for Scriptures. Use it if you need to. If you want historical information that's also a simple question, PM me or if you feel like it would benefit the others, post it here. I think this rule is pretty straightforward. It's basically: 'Think twice before asking a question.' Because a ton of useless questions doesn't do us a whole lot of good.
3. Be humble.
If I disprove your argument, or if you see what your saying isn't quite holding up, don't continue making useless and argumentative posts. You don't have to admit you're wrong if you don't have to, just don't waste other people's time. This also applies to me. If you prove me wrong or if I can't answer your question, I'll admit it.
4. No Impossible Questions
This isn't the time for, "Could Jesus microwave a taco SO HOT that even He could not eat it?" Questions like those are ridiculous and really don't have much of a place here. But this also applies to crazy morality questions such as, "Should a king go to war to earn food for his country so that they can live?" Remember, we're covering the basics here. I'm pretty sure that none of you is really interested in what the king should do or if Jesus could really microwave a taco that hot, those questions are just used to distract from real debate.
5. State What You're Arguing About and Don't Stray From the Topic
This might not be obvious to people, but some people go all across the map asking crazy questions all stemming from one question. I'll answer your one question to the best of my ability, but if I bring up the idea of God's grace and you don't understand that because you haven't really read the New Testament, then don't change the subject. Likewise, if you're arguing with me about the ramifications of new scientific discoveries, don't stray to the accuracy of the Bible. Just one question at a time.
6. No Flaming
This is pretty straightforward. Just don't be a jerk and we can all get along.
And above all, remember that the purpose of the Debate Hall isn't just to yell at people. It's to learn from one another. I'm sure I've got something to learn from everyone here, and I hope I've got some knowledge to impart to all of you.
Beyond this, if any of you is unsure of what I believe and want me to outline it in a post here, go ahead. The reason why I don't do that now is because I'm looking to not waste your time. But if you want to know what I believe either to ask something about what I believe or to debate with me from something I believe, go ahead.
Also keep in mind that I'm not defending all sects of Christianity. If you don't agree with Catholicism, that's not my business. I'm not a Catholic. What I'm here to defend is the purely Biblical Christianity. And if any of you is having trouble understanding what Christianity is in its simplest form, the book Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis is good for breaking a very complicated matter into simple terms. Likewise, if you have any qualms about the accuracy of the Bible More Than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell should more than satisfy you.
All of that being said, let the questions begin.
So basically, I've noticed that many threads in the Debate Hall have either touched upon Christian ethics or have taken head-on the concept of inconsistencies in the Bible, and other Christianity-related topics. Now, as I've been in these threads I've also realized that few people seem to know much about the Bible or exactly what Christianity is, as the Bible teaches it, and not how some churches may teach it. That's what I'm here for.
Basically I created this thread to help resolve as many questions regarding Christianity as I can, from the perspective of a Christian who has done a good amount of reading of the Bible as well as extra-biblical sources concerning the Bible. And after all that I have researched I have come to the resolute and absolute conclusion that Jesus Christ is Lord. Since I made my decision to make Jesus Lord of my life nearly three years ago, I've never looked back.
Now this thread will have room for people to debate things with me or to merely ask questions--I'll take either. But since Christianity is such a hot topic, I'll need to set a few ground rules to prevent things from going crazy.
1. One person asks a question at a time.
I cannot stress enough this rule's importance. Sure I know it seems like a cramped way of running the thread, but this is the best way to do it. If I just let this thread go wild and let everyone post at once, there will be more than I can handle to answer in one sitting. I'll deal with each question individually. If someone has a problem with what I said, they have 6 hours to respond to me in this thread. If they don't have time to do make a full post, they can make a reserve post to place their spot which will extend their spot for an extra 6 hours (a total of 12 hours since my response to them). If they miss the opportunity, they can feel free to PM me any question which I'll do my best to answer. After that I may post the conversation on here if it's on topic or if I can find a good time to include it. Being that this thread will run a bit more slowly, this brings me to my next rule.
2. Don't ask a useless question.
Teachers may say "There's no such thing as a stupid question." While this may be true, there are useless questions. I'm sick of hearing overused arguments that get us nowhere like "Would a loving God make a world where people experience pain and die?" Questions like these show a misunderstanding of the Bible as a whole. Go read through the Bible and THEN come up with your definition of God's personality. I do believe that God is love, but I also believe that we have a very limited scope of what love is. So asking useless questions like these is out. If you want to ask one of them to me in a PM--knock yourself out. But I want this thread to get us somewhere. Likewise, if your question could be answered through a little bit of research, don't post it here. BibleGateway.com is a great tool to search for Scriptures. Use it if you need to. If you want historical information that's also a simple question, PM me or if you feel like it would benefit the others, post it here. I think this rule is pretty straightforward. It's basically: 'Think twice before asking a question.' Because a ton of useless questions doesn't do us a whole lot of good.
3. Be humble.
If I disprove your argument, or if you see what your saying isn't quite holding up, don't continue making useless and argumentative posts. You don't have to admit you're wrong if you don't have to, just don't waste other people's time. This also applies to me. If you prove me wrong or if I can't answer your question, I'll admit it.
4. No Impossible Questions
This isn't the time for, "Could Jesus microwave a taco SO HOT that even He could not eat it?" Questions like those are ridiculous and really don't have much of a place here. But this also applies to crazy morality questions such as, "Should a king go to war to earn food for his country so that they can live?" Remember, we're covering the basics here. I'm pretty sure that none of you is really interested in what the king should do or if Jesus could really microwave a taco that hot, those questions are just used to distract from real debate.
5. State What You're Arguing About and Don't Stray From the Topic
This might not be obvious to people, but some people go all across the map asking crazy questions all stemming from one question. I'll answer your one question to the best of my ability, but if I bring up the idea of God's grace and you don't understand that because you haven't really read the New Testament, then don't change the subject. Likewise, if you're arguing with me about the ramifications of new scientific discoveries, don't stray to the accuracy of the Bible. Just one question at a time.
6. No Flaming
This is pretty straightforward. Just don't be a jerk and we can all get along.
And above all, remember that the purpose of the Debate Hall isn't just to yell at people. It's to learn from one another. I'm sure I've got something to learn from everyone here, and I hope I've got some knowledge to impart to all of you.
Beyond this, if any of you is unsure of what I believe and want me to outline it in a post here, go ahead. The reason why I don't do that now is because I'm looking to not waste your time. But if you want to know what I believe either to ask something about what I believe or to debate with me from something I believe, go ahead.
Also keep in mind that I'm not defending all sects of Christianity. If you don't agree with Catholicism, that's not my business. I'm not a Catholic. What I'm here to defend is the purely Biblical Christianity. And if any of you is having trouble understanding what Christianity is in its simplest form, the book Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis is good for breaking a very complicated matter into simple terms. Likewise, if you have any qualms about the accuracy of the Bible More Than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell should more than satisfy you.
All of that being said, let the questions begin.
This thread seems to be going down the drain....
